M.A. in Art History, Florence Program in Italian Renaissance Art

Program Overview

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This M.A. program in Italian Renaissance art offers a unique blend of critical thinking, research skills, and hands-on art conservation experience. Conducted primarily in Florence, Italy, the program provides in-depth knowledge of Renaissance art, its contexts, and conservation practices. Students engage in seminars, workshops, and field trips, culminating in a capstone research project and symposium presentation.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

• This M.A.
art history program focuses on Italian Renaissance art.
• Most of the program (two of three semesters) is conducted in Italy.
• The size of the program is small, typically around six participants per year.

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Objectives:

• To develop rigorous critical thinking abilities and research skills
• To provide in-depth knowledge of Italian Renaissance art and its contexts
• To offer students a strong foundation in Renaissance art conservation theories and methodologies.

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Program Description:

• Students engage in seminars led by distinguished scholars to analyze artistic styles, techniques, audiences, settings, original documents, and texts.
• The program includes hands-on experience in art conservation practices.
• Courses cover art historical theories, methods, and historiography.
• Students explore the relationship between the visual culture of the period and broader historical and artistic contexts.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Italian Renaissance art (1300-1600)
• Art conservation techniques and practices
• Art historical theory and methodology
• History of art conservation
• Archival research
• Paleography
• Digital humanities

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Program Structure:

• First Semester (Syracuse University, New York):
• HO 620: Seminar: Renaissance Art (3 credits)
• HST 735: Readings and Research in European History: Renaissance Italy: Culture, Conflict, & Connection I
(3 credits)
• HO 656: The Literature of Art Criticism (3 credits)
• Second Semester (Syracuse Florence):
• HO 621: Seminar in Florentine Art: Florentine Monuments, Contexts, and Audiences, 1300-1600,
(3 credits)
• HST 735.2: Readings and Research in European History: Renaissance Italy: Culture, Conflict, & Connection II
(3 credits)
• HO 620: Seminar: Renaissance Art, Mapping a Global Renaissance (3 credits)
• HO 622: Seminar in Renaissance Arts and Ideas
• Late Spring and Summer:
• Non-credit course on archival research and paleography
• Continuation of work on research projects
• Third Semester (Syracuse Florence):
• HO 620: Seminar: Renaissance Art, Botticelli and Filippino: Renaissance Contexts & Modern Approaches
(3 credits)
• HO 645: Seminar in the History of Art Conservation (3 credits)
• HO 622: Seminar in Renaissance Arts and Ideas (capstone research projects)

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Assessment:

• Written work:
essays, research papers, and capstone thesis
• Oral presentations:
class participation, research presentations, symposium presentations
• Practical work:
participation in conservation workshops
• Research projects:
individual research projects culminating in written papers and presentations at the program's annual symposium.

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Field trips
• Faculty:
• Professor Sally J. Cornelison, Director
• Professor Molly Bourne
• Professor Margaret Innes
• Professor Sean Nelson
• Professor Jonathan Nelson
• Professor Ezio Buzzegoli
• Professor Diane Kunzelman
• Unique Approaches:
• Emphasis on critical thinking and writing
• Close analysis of original artworks
• Practical experiences in art conservation
• Integration of historical research and artistic practice
• Study in the historic center of Florence, with access to renowned art collections and institutions

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Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Museum curator or director
• Art historian, researcher, professor
• Art conservator or restorer
• Art dealer or appraiser
• Arts administrator
• Librarian
• Archivist